Tuesday, March 31, 2009

It kinda snuck up on me, Pete is in charge of paintball this Saturday and we ordered his fencing kit back a couple weeks ago so today's Recon mission was mostly for inspiration,*insert despondent sigh* I wish we had Duff & Ace of Cakes here in Michigan. I stopped in at The Rocket and got some silliness (fake poop, prank vomit)--still wasn't motivated... so I went to Fantasy Attic (now in Depot Town) did find some toe tags and an awesome new jester hat--but what was startling was that Depot Town was HOPPIN! Whoops!

There was no place to park cuz I forgot Hilary Swank was taking over Sidetrack for a movie. Yes my freaky darlings--Ypsiwood is upon us. The parking lot was filled with big tractor trailers including one that had big black star shapes painted on people sized doors--I was going to take a picture with my cell phone-- but, well-- Frankly the creepy bald security guy with his bluetooth headset kinda freaked me out. I came home and googled zombiejester cakes...I am on my own...

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

One of the plants from Margie's funeral (almost a year ago...) was a beautiful white orchid from Pete's partners. I promised to try and not kill it. And lo and behold it is having a second bloom season. I am pleased.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I like animation. Some people would say "cartoons"--but I have to disagree, because my freaky darlings you know of that which I speak...

Last month Grampy Ray in his consistent wonderfulness-- again gifted me with the seemingly bottomless Borders card for my b-day. And tho I didn't get as much anime as last year...I had to pick up the 70th anniversary edition of Pinnocchio. I am sure you remember the narrative. A mysteriously single Italian woodcarver creates a wooden puppet which is brought to life by the blue fairy, who grants Geppeto's wish that the puppet becomes a real boy; if only he proves himself "brave, truthful, and unselfish" (that would be Gryffindor). So instead of going to the TapRoom with Neek & Frank last night I watched classic animation with my kids. (Petey fell asleep so it is agood thing we didn't go out).

Now before I toddle down memory lane I need to answer one thing for myself...1.) What exactly is the diff between the terms "anime" and "animation"--off we go to Wikipedia that highly trustworthy source of knowledge...

"Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. It is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in a number of ways. The most common method of presenting animation is as a motion picture or video program, although several other forms of presenting animation also exist."

In contrast

"Anime began at the start of the 20th century, when Japanese filmmakers experimented with the animation techniques that were being explored in France, Germany, the United States, and Russia.[3] The oldest known anime in existence was screened in 1917 - a two minute clip of a samurai trying to test a new sword on his target, only to suffer defeat.[4]By the 1930s, animation became an alternative format of storytelling compared to the underdeveloped live-action industry in Japan. Unlike in the United States, the live-action industry in Japan remained a small market and suffered from budgeting, location, and casting restrictions. The lack of Western-looking actors, for example, made it next to impossible to shoot films set in Europe, America, or fantasy worlds that do not naturally involve Japan. Animation allowed artists to create any characters and settings.[5]The success of Disney's 1937 feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs influenced Japanese animators.[6]"

I left all the footnotes in from Wiki cuz that is where I stole it from and I am still on my first cup o' coffee--plus the mention of Snow White is nice transition back to Pinocchio, now that we know there is only a language difference--except--there isn't... because modern anime has an edge..a sexy edge...a violent edge... a twisted maturity (individual artistic soul?) that does not lend itself to innocent (read superficial) viewing that Disney(tm) has stuffed down our throats. The mechanical procedures maybe the same but, there is a difference in philosophy (or culture?) that USED to be present in Disney films that is a strong part of "anime"--an acknowledgement that the modern manipulation of mass market does NOT equal ART. Snow White was art--Cinderella was art--but when Pete and I were kids something fell from Wonderland and in '66 Walt died (didn't they freezedry his decapitated head? Sounds like a Futurama episode)--here is another quote from Wiki-- "Traditional hand-drawn animation, with which Walt Disney started his company, no longer continues at the Walt Disney Feature Animation studio. "

sad--and then they made Hercules...gag

Izzy and I were chatting as Z skipped through the numerous ads promoting the pastel puke that Disney(tm) is currently hawking.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I think dear ones, that at this exact point in time I am centered and in control. I realize how remiss I have been in properly posting--my free time sort of evaporated the last few weeks but as I just said--I think I am good--for the moment. First and foremost (1.) my Xanni (aka Alexander Robert--the big boy at ChezMcClane) is proud to announce that he is officially a big brother. After a lovely St Paddy's dinner of bangers & mash; they checked into the hospital. Carol had the baby this morning!!! I am yet again...an adopted Jewish Auntie!! WOOOT! Elinor Beatrice was born before class this morning and when Rollo called to tell me I was still teaching...whoops broke my own class rule of "turn your phone off". Many of the students knew I was waiting for news and they all chanted "answer it"--so when I repeated her name they all cheered. Her pics are on Matt's facebook. I can't wait to hold her!!

(2.) The ball was massive success. By the end of the night my hat was more than a little askew. As you can see!

Getting into the VW was a trick. I had not accounted for the low head room vs the height of my chapeau nor had I considered driving a stick with the size of my petticoats-- the bug is still quite sparkly. The fabric of my overcoat seemed beautiful at the store--but at home it's gaudy goodness leapt from the weave like rats abandoning ship. I now understand the bumper sticker comment that sez "Glitter is the STD of the Craft World." My over coat bled glitter everywhere I went. Pete called it Fairyrhea. Nice. Regardless of the excess of sparkle, we sold at least twice as many tickets as we needed to break even. Sarah ran around w/my camera (till her cold meds wore off) I was bouncing around with Kate & Vickie and hugging all my old students and occasionally would wander back to where Stacy , Pete and Andre & Stephanie and Geo who all said they had a good time people watching. My archery pal Wendy & her posse added to that aspect! I especially want to thank Warren for donating his time and equipment--one plain cheescake coming up!! Like this week!

(3.) Finally, before I split today-- I have to mention this amazing book--The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. OMG!! dark fairy tale extraordinaire...LOVE IT!! I am finishing up the endnotes. I highly recommend it. Beautiful prose--great story...seriously good read. If I ever get the 300 level HP class this book will be required reading.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

There will be pictures Saturday. I feel like the love child of Glenda the good witch and Barney. Big purple and glittery! Still haven't settled on shoes/legs yet. Purple & silver stripes? Black? solid purple? boots? witchy spike heels? glitter kitten heels??? ARRRGH I wish I had girlfriends in this room.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Pearl tiara that is just TOOO much for my SCA persona (perhaps w/Turkish hat&veil)Smart little jacket w/Elizabethan inspired collar. 3/4 length sleeves (cuz you know at some point I'll be working). It's color is labeled 'sterling' but it is in fact a pale dove gray. Tasteful neckline.Floor length Dark Plum underskirt with sheer gray sparkle overskirt--(simple pattern Two days max) got the fabric at Joanne's for 50% grand total of $52. The price included two orange fabric roses (not sure what I am gonna do with them) and thread.